Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro vs Dell XPS 15 (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro commands a $500 premium over Dell's XPS 15, and largely justifies it through superior performance and exceptional display technology. M4 Pro's 16-core GPU and optimized macOS ecosystem deliver faster compilation, video editing, and AI workloads compared to Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. Display quality heavily favors the MacBook: its Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED reaches 1600 nits with ProMotion 120Hz, ideal for color-critical work and smooth scrolling, while the XPS 15's OLED (400 nits) suits general use but struggles in bright environments. Battery advantage goes decisively to MacBook (22 vs 13 hours). Dell offers better value with larger 15.6" screen, expandable storage, legacy USB-A port, and $500 savings,appealing for general productivity and Windows-dependent software. Choose MacBook Pro if you need maximum performance and pro-grade display accuracy; select XPS 15 if budget and screen size matter more.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro if…
- →Powerful M4 Pro performance in a portable chassis
- →Bright mini-LED ProMotion display
- →Long battery life around 22 hours
Buy the Dell XPS 15 (2024) if…
- →Gorgeous 3.5K OLED touchscreen with vivid colors
- →32 GB RAM standard at this price tier
- →Premium CNC aluminum chassis
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro
Pros
- Powerful M4 Pro performance in a portable chassis
- Bright mini-LED ProMotion display
- Long battery life around 22 hours
- Three Thunderbolt 5 ports for high-speed I/O
- Excellent build quality and speakers
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Base RAM bumped to 24 GB raises entry cost
- Notch in display divides opinion
- No cellular or touchscreen option
Dell XPS 15 (2024)
Pros
- Gorgeous 3.5K OLED touchscreen with vivid colors
- 32 GB RAM standard at this price tier
- Premium CNC aluminum chassis
- Includes USB-A and HDMI alongside Thunderbolt
- Upgradeable SSD and memory
Cons
- OLED display can exhibit burn-in over time
- Base model ships with integrated Iris Xe graphics only
- Battery drains faster with OLED on
- Runs warm under sustained load
- Fan noise noticeable during CPU-heavy tasks
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro | Dell XPS 15 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.60 kg | 1.86 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | CNC machined aluminum |
| Dimensions | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm | 344.4 x 230.1 x 18.0 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | 1 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 2 |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 22 hours wireless web | Up to 13 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 86 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED | OLED touch |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 3456 x 2160 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB unified | 32 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M4 Pro | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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